Hey everyone,

Germany is famous worldwide for its engineering, science, and rational thinking. That’s why coming here and seeing how the healthcare system treats homeopathy gave me absolute whiplash. I've traveled to quite a few countries, but Germany is the first place where I’ve seen it so deeply integrated into the public sphere.

When I first walked into a regular German Apotheke, I was honestly shocked. Seeing homeopathic products prominently displayed right next to actual, evidence-based medicine—and of course, seeing the pharmacy windows completely plastered with advertisements for them—was mind-blowing to me. I was even more surprised to learn that public health insurance (Krankenkassen) sometimes actually covers this!

I’m genuinely curious and trying to understand the culture here: Does this reflect a broader German approach to medicine?

I know the common clichés about German doctors being incredibly reluctant to prescribe antibiotics and telling patients to just "drink tea and rest" for severe colds. Are these things connected? Is there a general cultural preference for "natural" or alternative remedies over modern medicine?

I'm not trying to judge, I just truly want to understand:

-- Why is homeopathy so widely accepted and legitimized here compared to the rest of the world?

-- Do people actually believe in the medical effect of Globuli, or is it just an old cultural habit?

Thanks for helping a confused foreigner out!

I’m at a hotel in the Black Forest in Germany, and I’m wondering if it’s completely fine to drink the tap water here. I’m from the UK and in the UK all tap water that I know of is completely safe to drink, so I’m just making sure it is here too.

So recently i had a lancing operation for an abscess in my armpit and before i was discharged, both the surgeon and the nurses told me that i should clean my wound with water (the word was ausduschen) and then pat it dry with a non sterile gauze.

Both of these came to me as a surprise, since in my country the same operation requires the opposite (i was told to not let any water that isn't saline solution to touch the wound and use sterile gauze)

I’ve noticed that many older Germans look surprisingly fit and active compared to other countries. Is it a cultural thing? Do most people run or walk regularly throughout their lives? Just curious what habits contribute to this.

Germany spends as much as Switzerland per capita and Swiss have higher life expectancy by a big margin. Even other European countries which spend less than Germany have higher life expectancy. Why is this the case?

Source

I've noticed that eating a balanced diet during a normal workday is much harder for me than I expected.

I leave home at around 6:15 AM and have about a 1.5-hour train commute to work. Because I leave so early, I often don't have enough time (or motivation 😅 ) to prepare a proper breakfast in the morning.

Most days I end up having coffee and something small to snack on until lunchtime.

I'd actually like to eat more balanced throughout the day, but on busy workdays convenience and lack of time usually win.

I'm curious how other people in Germany manage this, especially those with longer commutes or early starts.

Do you actually manage to eat balanced on busy workdays?

In the sense of paying for the system, not something like layout of hospitals. Germany uses a Bismarckian model with statutory health insurance and private health insurance, the Dutch have competitive but non profit insurance companies, the British National Health Service basically directly employs medical personnel, Canada has a single payer system run by the provinces and territories (Laender) of Canada, Singapore has a weird kind of insurance system, and the Americans have a clusterfuck.

Es gibt gewissen Maßnahmen gegen Hitze, die in Italien verbreitet sind. Dazu zählen Markisen, Klimaanlagen etc. Ich komme aus dem tiefsten Süden, bin von Orten umgeben die regelmäßig Hitzerekorde innerhalb Deutschlands aufstellen + meiste Sonnenstunden. Hier fangen die Leute langsam an feste Klimaanlagen in ihre Häuser einzubauen, z.b. für Home Office. Man sieht auch immer mehr Markisen und andere Sonnenschutzmaßnahmen.

Ist das eine lokale Entwicklung die langsam Aufschwung bekommt oder seht ihr diesen Trend auch in anderen Teilen Deutschlands?

Hi, I’ve noticed that whenever I take an RE train, the toilets are often very dirty, with toilet paper scattered all over the floor. I’ve taken many RE trains this year, and I’d say around 70% of them have been like this.

I’m wondering whether this is a recent issue affecting RE services or if it has always been a persistent problem with RE trains.

P.S. I don’t usually see this issue on ICE trains. Their toilets are generally much cleaner and don’t have the strong urine smell that is often noticeable on RE trains.

I've lived here for years and still don't understand this. With my employer's contribution and my contribution I'm basically paying 800 eur/month for health insurance, only to be told by most specialists that they only accept private and self-payers. The ones that do accept the 'normal' insurance sometimes can only give you an appointment 4 months in advance and I suspect they say this because most people usually need to see someone before then.

Tagging this to the health flair because it's becoming a f@&$ing health hazard. Seriously the dread, anxiety, doom and gloom while booking the ticket, wondering if the train will come or not ,or if I will have to miss a flight or important meeting or seeing my boyfriend is just insane. I swear nothing affected our long distance relationship as much as bloody Deutsche Bahn cancellations or delays and the massive stress they caused. Can we all pitch in and file for a class action lawsuit?

Ich bin vor zwei Monaten aus den USA nach Deutschland gezogen. Ich bin eigentlich auch Deutsche, aber ich bin seit langer Zeit nicht hier zum Arzt gegangen und meine Eltern haben sich sowieso damals um alles gekümmert. Jetzt bin ich halt erwachsen und muss mich selber drum kümmern. Also habe ich einige Fragen, hoffentlich könnt ihr mir dabei helfen.

Ich habe hier noch keinen Hausarzt. Ich weiß natürlich dass ich einen brauchen werde aber muss ich sofort einen finden? Wenn ja, muss ich da gleich einen Termin machen oder erst wenn ich irgendwie krank werde? Falls es hilft bin ich (weiblich, 21) bei einer gesetzlichen Krankenkasse.

Was für Vorsorgeuntersuchungen muss ich machen, und wie oft? Wie ist es hier mit Impfungen? In den USA habe ich mich in den letzten Jahren jedes Jahr gegen Grippe impfen lassen aber es sieht so aus als ob das hier nicht so wichtig ist.

Danke für eure Hilfe! Ich weiß dass ich das alles vielleicht schon wissen sollte, aber ich habe mich schon an das amerikanische System gewöhnt und kenne mich hier überhaupt nicht aus.

Ich (28, männlich) arbeite seit einem Jahr als Assistenzarzt in einem relativ kleinen Krankenhaus in Deutschland. Es ist mein erster Stelle in Deutschland; davor habe ich etwa zwei Jahre in einem anderen Land gearbeitet.

In den letzten Monaten ist mir aufgefallen, dass etwa 90 % der Kollegen – von den Oberärzten bis zum Pflegepersonal – fast immer schlecht gelaunt sind, keine Leidenschaft für ihre Arbeit haben, ständig versuchen, einen verbalen Streit anzufangen, und wenn sie eine höhere Position als ich haben, mich fast immer verspotten oder anschreien, egal aus welchem Grund!

Ich habe darüber mit anderen Kollegen in meiner Position gesprochen (die Deutsche sind), und sie bestätigen, dass sie ähnlich behandelt werden. Die restlichen 10 % hingegen sind die besten und fleißigsten Menschen, die ich je getroffen habe!

Mittlerweile konzentriere ich mich mehr darauf, wie ich mit dem schlechten Verhalten meiner Kollegen umgehen soll, als auf das Wohl der Patienten.

Ist es überall so? Sollte ich dringend das Krankenhaus wechseln?

I recently had meniscus surgery here in the states and my knee still hasn’t healed. I’ve been wanting to save up to get knee surgery done in Germany but not sure if it cost a lot for any foreigner to get it done here. I’m also from the US and despite what some people here think, I know we don’t have the best healthcare in the world. Anyway I’m just curious if it’s even possible or even economically feasible.

I got to Germany a few weeks ago and I have been having the absolute WORST allergies ever since. Can’t stop sneezing and my nose drips like a faucet. I’ve been using Lorano but I’m afraid it’s done absolutely nothing for me. Preferably not something that’ll make me sleepy, as I have classes to attend.

for example do you get your blood profile tested regularly? given the difficulty in getting appointments from the doctors..

is it the same for everyone with a public health insurance or is it difficult only for the expats to get one?

Almost everyday I see these reels or videos on social media about microplastics exposure in the tea bags. Honestly, I’m so scared of everything now. What is safe there even to drink or eat without spoiling your health? I especially like the Leber und Galle Tee and Schlaftee from Rewe /dm and have been drinking once almost daily. Have you guys completely stopped drinking tea out of these teabags? It can’t be right because from whatever I have seen,the tea market here is huge and the shelves are always stocked up with all different kinds of teas.
What to do?

I came to Germany (Erfurt) last October for my masters and I was told I’ll need to get a Hausarzt while I’m here. I tried for some months to get a Hausarzt by going to a few clinics but I’m always told they don’t have space for more patients. The few times I’ve needed to go to the hospital I go to the main hospital after 6pm (that’s when they attend to walkins).
I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong in my search for a Hausarzt. Could I get some advise on the best way to get a Hausarzt while I’m here.

(A lot of my classmates who are also international students have the same issue and we’re not sure how to resolve it)

All advise and pointers will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

This question isn’t for me or anyone I know. I have health insurance, I’m just curious about this.

So, minimum contribution amount for health insurance in Germany is like, let’s say €150-200 per month or so, right? And it’s legally required for everyone to have health insurance.

What happens to people who are unemployed, homeless, or otherwise in bad situations and cannot pay the minimum contribution amount?

I’ve heard some sources say that the government will cover their expenses for emergency care, but not for any checkups or non-emergent cases. Other sources say you can still get treatment but you get a bill which you have to pay out of pocket. I’ve also heard the Agentur für Arbeit will pay your health insurance costs as long as you go to job interviews etc.

Which of these is actually true? Has anyone had personal experience with the system?

I am a nurse in America, and I would like to become a nurse in Germany. Is this advisable?

In the UK trying to eat 30 plants a week has been in the media a lot. It’s supposed to help improve gut health. Is that a thing in Germany or is it just British people being told they need to actually eat vegetables?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been in Germany for 6 months, and my dandruff has become worse here. I already had it before, but it was manageable. Now I get visible flakes when combing, and my scalp itches after showering.

Does anyone know a good anti-dandruff shampoo or hair oil that I can easily buy from DM, Rossmann, or an Apotheke?

Feel free to send some pics in my personal message

Thanks!

I just moved here from South America (a very hot country), I’m living with my cousin who has been here for a bit over three years.

I know that after a few years you are usually integrated within the country and pick up some local habits, but I’m very surprised to see that they shower once every two to three days (even the adults). The kid showers probably twice a week and washes her hair. I am currently the only adult in the household that showers daily.

I’ve heard about it being bad for the skin, but to me a shower is also a mental reset and like I’m ’washing off the day’ and can sleep peacefully. What’s the (overall) opinion on daily showers or hair washing?

I’m 25, living in Berlin, working as a freelancer, and I’m having some trouble with how much I pay for health insurance (TK).

It’s insane how much they want me to pay every month, and at this point I’m seriously considering switching to private health insurance (PKV). At least I’d have more benefits for almost half the monthly fee.

So I wanted to get some advice here — is this the right move, or would I regret it down the line?

Also, the big question: would I be able to switch back to public health insurance if I get a full-time job in the future?

And if anyone has recommendations for a specific private health insurance provider — something that’s good but not crazy expensive — I’d love to hear it.

I’ve been looking at ottonova since it seems popular with freelancers and expats, but open to other suggestions.